Keychron K1 Max vs V3 MaxLow-Profile vs Gasket Mount TKL
Choose the K1 Max for a slim, low-profile typing experience, or the V3 Max for a deeper, customizable gasket-mounted feel.
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4.6 (10)4.6 · 10 reviews
from$89at Keychron
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
4.8 (4)4.8 · 4 reviews
from$150at Keychron (DE)
Which one should you get?
Get the
Keychron K1 Max
Low-Profile
Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $100.
- Ultra-slim, low-profile design with an aluminum frame for a sleek look.
- Lighter weight (608g) enhances portability.
- Includes redesigned stabilizers and IXPE acoustic foam for improved sound.
- Low-profile switches and keycaps only. Standard MX keycaps will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- Missing ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW. The other board is sold in those layouts.
Get the
Keychron V3 Max
Gasket Mount TKL
Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $200.
- Gasket mount design with a polycarbonate plate for a softer, more flexible typing feel.
- Includes a multifunction knob and supports third-party screw-in PCB stabilizers.
- Hot-swap PCB supports a wide range of standard 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
Your choice hinges on profile preference and modding goals. The Keychron K1 Max is the definitive pick if you prioritize a slim, modern keyboard that's easy to transport and use with laptops. Opt for the Keychron V3 Max if you want a deeper, more customizable typing experience with a gasket mount, a knob, and unrestricted access to the vast world of standard MX switches.
The differences that matter
Skip the 40-row spec sheet. These are the specs that change how each board feels, sounds, and fits your desk.
Keychron K1 Max
Keychron V3 Max
Low profile
Yes
No
Case material
ABS, Aluminum, Plastic
ABS, Plastic
Mount style
PCB Mount, Plate Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Knob
No
Yes
Weight
608 g
895 g
Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel
- Keychron K1 Max
- Keychron V3 Max
- Performance
- 8282
- Build quality
- 8186
- Productivity
- 9098
- Customizability
- 8998
- Portability
- 7376
- Layout size: 80%
- Connection: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
- Hot-swappable
- Battery: 4,000 mAh
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Tactile
What will you mostly use it for?
The V3 Max wins in categories centered on deep customization and a premium typing feel, such as modding, programming, and content creation, largely due to its gasket mount, knob, and broader switch compatibility. The K1 Max is the better choice for office use and travel, where its low-profile, lightweight design is a major advantage. For gaming, the two are evenly matched on core performance specs.
It's a tie
- Both offer a 1000 Hz polling rate in 2.4 GHz and wired modes for low latency.
- Both feature N-key rollover for reliable simultaneous key presses.
- The K1 Max's lower profile may suit some desk setups, while the V3 Max's heavier build resists movement.
What owners say
Ratings and quotes collected from verified store reviews, including the critical ones.
Keychron K1 Max
10 owner reviews
“My first better keyboard and I am absolutely satisfied. We'll see how it works after a longer time. I just thought of one small thing, I have nowhere to hide the receiver when I leave with just the laptop and I want to leave the keyboard at home. Like you can…”
Keychron V3 Max
4 owner reviews
“This keyboard has been great. My first keyboard I've ever had. I had faulty switch, but you guys just gave me a whole new keyboard. Thanks a lot! -Mack”
Keychron K1 Max vs V3 Max specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 28 specs differ
Keychron K1 Max
Keychron V3 Max
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Low profile
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
Keychron K1 Max
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
Keychron V3 Max
Keychron
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-Nordic, ISO-SW
Out of stockShips to you
Keychron (DE)
ISO-DE, ISO-UK, ISO-FR, ISO-ES, ISO-SW
In stockDoes not ship to you
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
Keychron K1 Max vs V3 Max: your questions
The K1 Max is an ultra-slim, low-profile keyboard with a height of 24mm and uses specialized low-profile switches. The V3 Max is a standard-profile keyboard with a gasket mount design, a taller build, and uses regular MX-style switches.
No. According to Keychron, the K1 Max hot-swappable version is only compatible with Gateron and Keychron brand low-profile mechanical switches. It does not support standard MX switches or low-profile optical switches.
The V3 Max's hot-swappable PCB supports most 3-pin and 5-pin MX mechanical switches, including popular brands like Gateron, Cherry MX, and Kailh. This gives you a much wider selection for customization.
Both keyboards are well-suited for Mac users. They include a system toggle switch and come with extra keycaps for both macOS and Windows layouts, allowing seamless switching between operating systems.
No. Only the Keychron V3 Max includes a multifunction knob, which can be used for volume control or scrolling. The K1 Max does not have a knob.
The K1 Max uses redesigned plate-mounted stabilizers. The V3 Max uses screw-in PCB stabilizers, which are generally considered more stable and are easier to mod or replace with third-party options.
The Keychron K1 Max is more portable. It weighs 608g compared to the V3 Max's 895g, and its low-profile design is significantly slimmer, making it easier to pack in a bag.
Yes. Both the K1 Max and V3 Max support full programmability via the open-source QMK firmware and the Keychron Launcher web app, allowing for extensive key remapping, layering, and macro creation.
Both keyboards feature a 4000mAh rechargeable battery. Keychron states the V3 Max can last up to 190 hours with backlighting off, and up to 100 hours with RGB at its lowest brightness. Specific lab test results for the K1 Max are not provided in the listing.
No. Both keyboards come with double-shot PBT keycaps that are not shine-through. The V3 Max uses south-facing LEDs to illuminate the keycaps from below, while the K1 Max's listing mentions north-facing and south-facing RGB options, but the keycaps themselves do not allow light through the legends.
The fully assembled V3 Max includes the keyboard with ABS plastic housing, a PC plate, screw-in stabilizers, double-shot OSA PBT keycaps for Mac and Windows, Gateron Jupiter switches, a Type-C cable, a Type-A adapter, and both Type-C and Type-A 2.4 GHz receivers.
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